Ronald Olowin

Eureka! Cosmic Explorations of Archimedes, Alexander von Humboldt, and Edgar Allan Poe

Abstract

Archimedes of Syracuse c. 287 BC-c. 212 BC) was an Ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer. Although few details of his life are known, he is regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity.

Kosmos (usually referred to in English as ‘Cosmos’) is an influential treatise on science and nature written by the German scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt’s text has made many contributions to scientific progress in his conception of the unity of science, nature, and mankind.

Eureka (1848) is a lengthy non-fiction work by American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), which he subtitled ‘A Prose Poem’, although it has also been subtitled as ‘An Essay on the Material and Spiritual Universe’, and is dedicated to the German naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859). Although it is generally considered a literary work, some of Poe's ideas anticipate discoveries of the 20th century. Indeed a critical analysis of the scientific content of Eureka reveals a non-causal correspondence with modern cosmology due to the assumption of an evolving Universe.
This presentation will weave a common thread of insight and invention of three remarkable innovators who defined and refined modern cosmology.

Biography

INSAP International Executive Committee Chair. Dr. Morgan was an attendee at the Second INSAP Conference in Malta.